Automobile pedal selector



March l, 1932. B. H.-Moss|NGHoFF 1,847,096

AUTOMOBILE PEDAL SELECTOR Filed Jan. 10, 1925 Patented Mar. 1, l 1932 iranv` STATES PATENT oFFicE BERNARD H. MOSSINGHOFF, ,0F ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGN- MENTS, TO PROGRESSIVE MOTOR DEVICES CORPORATION, A CORPORATION OI ILLINOIS AUTOMOBILE PEDAL SELECTOR Application le JanuarylO, 1925. SeriaI No.:1,602.

My invention relates to a method of automobile control, wherein it is desired to actuate a plurality of electro-motive means, singly and selectively, for instance for selecting or shifting the several speed gear changes. While Ihave shown in the accompanying drawings a preferred embodiment of my in-v vention, yet l wish it understood that the same is susceptible of modification and change without departing from the spirit of my invention.

It is of a nature more specifically to eifect such selection of electric circuits by means of one actuator which controls some other function of automobile operation, for instance, release of the clutch.

One object ofthe invention is to provide F a selecting device of simple and single operation so that one and the same foot of the operator will select the electric circuit and operate another function of the automobile. Another object is to provide means whereby change of selection of circuits is allowed even after the other function performed by the same foot of the operator has been accom'- plished. Another object is to provide means whereby only one circuit can unfailingly be selected at one time. Still another object is to provide supplementary means whereby'at least one of the circuits requires a co-operation of two separate movements to become effective as would b desirable for selection of reversed speed gears. A further object is to provide a device of simple construction and convenient and fool-proof operation. A

still further object is to produce a device which is economical in constructionfacile in adaptation and such other objects, advantages and capabilities as will later more fully appear and which are inherent in the invention.

With the above and other object-s in view, I have invented the device shown in one of its preferred forms, as operable with the clutch pedal of an automobile, and as would bc useful to control the speed changes of the automobile.

Reference is made to my patent numbered 1.486,447, and to companion application Serial No. 1601, tiled J an. 10, 1925, wherein are disclosed other methods Vof selective control.

In the accompanying drawings Fig. I, is a side elevation of my pedali selecting mechanism, as connected to the clutch pedal of au automobile; the floor boards being in section, and the solenoidal actuation shown diagrammatically.

Fig. II is a face view of the foot plate.

Fig. UI is a top view of the electric cir- I cuit distributing and closing member.

Fi IV is a top view of the iioor board surroun ing the pedal, showing the recessed guide member, and taken along the line 4.-4 of Fig. I.

Fig. V is an end view of universal foot plate mounting taken along line 5-5 of imilar characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

1 indicates the usual clutch enclosure of an automobile, containing the clutch and springs, tending normally to hold the clutch engaged until opposed by clutch pedal 2, piv. oted onto said enclosure at 3, and arcuated thrust arm 4, which if depressed forwardly by the foot of the operator releases the clutch engagement as is usual on automobiles. 5 is the usual floor board in the drivers compartment, and has a slot 6 cut therein to allow free reciprocatory movement of said arm 4 therethrough. Gn the upper extremity of the clutch pedal is integrally formed the bracket arm 7, holding the integral support and guide member 8 with a truncated pyramid shaped hollow interior 9, with open forward and rear ends, the four flat and obliquely fixed walls of which limit and guide the lateral motion of the universally pivoted rod 10, having its lower or forward end 11 free and its rear, end attached firmly to foot plate 12 with which it is accordingly rockably movable. Pin -13 is driven into said rod 10, and passes through lslot 14 in one of the walls of guide member 8, thus holding rod 10 and plate 12 against axial rotation, while allowing at the same time free lateral universal movement to rod 10 within the confines of the four walls of member 8. Foot plate 12 has 6 is a guide cup 20, with obliquely slanted walls 21 leading forward to four guide holes 15", 16", 1 7" and 18", respectively, which are adaptedto receive and guide the end 11 of rod 10, as is determined by the operator when tilting selectively the foot plate 12, upon `,forward depression of the pedal 4. Suspended from said guide cup 20 by means f arm 2l', is an electric circuit closing device, embodying a cylindrical tube 22 of non,

conducting material, onto which are fixed four vertical'conductin blades 15" 16" 17" and 18" respectively, and which are adapted to form electrical contact with end 11 of rod 10, singly as selected by tilting of foot plate 12, upon full depression of clutch pedal 4. Such contact will close a selected one of four distinct electrical energizing circuits as will be described further.

Connected to each of said contact blades 16 17" and 18" are distinct electric conduits a, c, d, and b, respectively, said conduits a., b and c leading directly to one of the binding posts of the solenoids S', S" and S" respectively, whilst conduit d leads first to a manually controlled switch 23, mounted on the instrument board 24, whence another conduit e leads to one of the binding posts of the solenoid S" The solenoids each have their own armature s', s", s" and s" which are longitudinally movable by energization of the respective solenoid and effect any function of automobile control desired, as the operation of the shift bars in a change speed gear transmission. B is the battery source of electrical energy, having a lead f leading from its positive terminal to supply the shunt branches g, h, j and k, leading each to one of the binding posts of aforesaid solenoids respectively. Lead m from the negative terminal of battery B is grounded as is usual, onto the automobile proper, which ground connection with edal 2 is indicated at n near pivot 3 of sai pedal.

Effective electrical connection is accordingly made, upon full depression of the clutch pedal 4, between rod 11 which is a metallic conductor and is a grounded part, of the automobile and any of the insulated contact blades 15" 16" 17" and 18" as is determined by tilted position of the foot plate 1'2. For an example we will consider the clutch pedal 4 fully depressed by the operators foot pressing forward upon corner 16 of foot plate 12, causing accordingly rod 10 to seek the corner 16' of guide member 8, enter r3 guide hole 16" and form physical contact with contact blade 16" thus closing one of the four electrical circuits. The current then flows from battery B through lead f through shunt branch j energizing solenoid S" thus moving its armature s thence through wire c contact blade 16" through rod 10,- clutch pedal 4 through the ground n back to the attery B through ground lead m. Similar andV parallel circuit would be established energizing solenoid S", when rod 10 contacts with blade 17." caused by depressing the clutch pedal with predominant pressure on corner 17 of foot plate 12. Similarly solenoid S would be energized by contact of rod 10 with Iblade 15" caused upon depression of .the pedal .12 by foot pressure on surface 15. However upon forward depression of the pedal by the foot pressing against surface 18, thus effecting contact between blade 18" and rod 10, the circuit is closed to energize solenoid S" only when the manually controlled switch 23 is also closed. In such case the flow of electric currents is parallel to the other explained circuits, except that from the solenoid S `the current flows through wire e through switch 23, through wire d contact blade 18" rod 10, clutch 4, whence it seeks the ground as in the other circuits. When switch 23 however is opened manually, solenoid S" cannot be energized :thus necessitating cooperation of manual and foot control to energize said solenoid S" This serves the purpose of safety and foolproofness in case such is ever desired, as for instance, in selecting reverse in change speed gears. It is furthermore also evident herefrom, that when switch 23 is open, the clutch pedal 4 may be fully depressed by pressure upon surface 18 thus allowing full movement of the clutch pedal without effecting any sort of electrical energization, as would be useful in effecting neutral position, if applied to gear shifting.

The clutch is fully dis-engaged by partial depression of the clutch pedal4 and would thus serve purposes ofcoasting; and the selection of circuit is freely determinable and changeable during such position of the clutch pedal and becomes eii'ectually determined only after extremity 11 of rod 10 enters one of the guide holes in recessed guide cup 20. Guide cup has a downwardly extending flange cut out to form the slot 25 to accommodate and guide pedal lever 4 on its arcuated travel. Guide cup 20 is not an absolutely necessary part of the device, but serves merely to facilitate the selectiv-e operation. Neither is it essential to the uniselectional operation of the device insofar as the spacing of contacts 15" 16" 17" and 18" being much greater than the width of rod'lO, the latter could not possibly close more than one con- Y Having thus described my invention, what :r

I claim as new and desire protected by Let.- ters Patent are the following:

1. In an automobile, a source of'electric energy; a clutch pedal; and means selectively operable by the foot movement operating said pedal to determine the operation of said energ 2. n an automobile, a source of electric energy; a plurality of electric circuits energizable singly; a pedal; and selecting means mounted on saidpedal to determine th circuit to be energized.

3. In an automobile, a plurality of electrical circuits, a pedal, a footplate on said pedal b and movable in respect-thereto into a plurality of positions of selection; and means the selected circuit upon depression of the pedal.

6. In an automobile, a 'clutch pedal; a

source of electric energy operating diversely;

selecting means operable by the'foot when operating saidpedal; said means being determnable after partial depression of the p 7. In an automobile, a clutch pedal; a plurality of electrical circuits, foot controlled selecting means on said pedal, the selection being determinable after clutch release.

8. In an automobile a clutch pedal; a plurality of electrical circuits; selecting means operable by the foot when operating said pedal, the selecting becoming effective upon full depression of the pedal.

9. In an automobile, a plurality of electrical circuits; foot operated selecting means to effectively determine the operation of some of the circuits; and manually operable means, `ifo-operating with said first means t0 determine the operation of another of the circuits.

10. In an automobile, foot operated means to selectively close a desired electrical circuit, said means being operable diversely for diverse circuits.

11. In speed ratio changing mechanism for motor vehicles, a plurality of electrically1 energized actuators, separate circuits for said actuators, a switch block having spaced contacts connectedwith said respective circuits, a clutch pedal, and a complementary contact mounted on said clutch pedal and movable thereon into positions t0 selectively engage said spaced contacts, said complementary contact being movable with said clutch pedal into engaging position.

12. In speed ratio changing` mechanism for motor,vehicles, a plurality of electrically energized actuators, separate circuits for said actuators, a switch `block having spaced contacts thereon connected with said circuits respectively, a supplemental switch in 'series with one 'of said circuits, a clutch pedal, a contact making member mounted on said clutch pedal and shiftable thereon into po-l sition to effect connection selectively with said -spaced contacts, said contact eii'ecting Ymember being movable into operative position by movement of the clutch pedal in the direction to eiiect control of the clutch there- 13. In an automobile, a plurality of electrical circuits, terminalstherefor, a pedal, a selecting deviceassociated with said pedal and movable thereon for selecting and mov- -able therewith for closing the selected circuit thru its respective terminal.

14. In an automobile, a pedal, an electrical foot selection device constructed and arranged for foot operation to effect any one of a plurality of electrical connections, means associated with said device for preventing more thanone selection at the same time, and means cooperating with said foot selection device to perform the selected operation only when the pedal is operated.

15. In an automobile, a source of electromotive force, a plurality of circuits, a pedal,

a foot selection device constructed and positioned for foot operation, said device being movable into a plurality of positions to connect any selected one of said circuits with said source of electromotive force, when said pedal is operated and means associated with said device for .reventing connection with more than one circuit at lthe same time.

16. In` an automobile, a plurality of mechanical devices, means adapted to be energized by an electric circuit for operating said mechanical devices, a pedal, and a foot selection device for determining the cnergization of said mechanical devices, during the operation of said pedal.

17. In an automobile, a plurality of elecl trically operated devices, ay foot selection device constructed and positioned for foot operation to tentatively predetermine the operation of any one of said electrically operated devices and positive means associated with said selection device to prevent the effective operation vof more than one' of said electrically operated devices at the same time.

18. In an automobile, a plurality of electrically operated devices, a foot selection device constructed and arranged for foot operation to selectively determine the operation of any one of said electrically operated devices, and a supplemental control for one of said electrically operated devices.

19. In an automobile, a plurality of electrically'operated devices, a foot selection device constructed and arranged for foot operation to selectively determine the operation of any one of said electrlcally operated devices, and a manually operable supple-Y tionary circuit closmg means by movement of said pedal.

2l. In an automobile, a source of electrical energy, a plurality of electrical circuits for a plurality of effects, circuit closing means, an automobile control pedal, selecting means for said circuits selectively operable by the foot when operating said pedal, and means independent of said circuit closing means securing only one of saidelectrical effects at one time.

22. In an automobile, a source of electrical energy, a plurality of electrical circuits to distribute said energy, electro-motive-means diiferently actuable by said energy for diierent effects, means constructed and positioned for foot operation for tentatively selecting a predetermined circuit, and means for positively selecting said circuit and preventing more than one manner of operation of said electro-motive means at the same time.

23. A circuit controlling device for automobiles comprising a plurality of circuits, a pedal, a foot operated means on said pedal for tentatively controlling the selection of one of the circuits independently of the Amovement ot the pedal, and means cooperating with said foot operated means to positively control the foot operated means to operate the desired circuit.

24. In an automobile electrical ratio change selection device, a `unidirectional foot operated ratio change selecting and normal automobile tunction controlling pedal, means cooperative therewith to complete the ratio change, and means to direct the selection to automatically prevent the edective selection of more than one ratio change at one time.

25. In an automobile electrical ratio change selection device, a ratio change selecting and clutch-controlling pedal completely operable by the fore part of the foot` means cooperative therewith to complete the ratio change, and means to prevent t-he actuation of a plurality of s-elections with a single complete movementof the foot. y

26. In an automobile, a clutch lever, means thereon arranged and positioned for operation by the fore part of the :toot to control the lever for clutch operation and to select a clutch release, andmeans for preventing the pedal lever after the clutch releasing movement causing the selective energization of the transmitting means and the transmission of the ratio change selection.

i 28. In an automobile ratio change selection device, a source of electricity, a clutch pedal, ratio selection means associated with and selectively operable by the foot operating said pedal, electric circuit closing means controlled selectively for a plurality of ratio selections by and according to said selective operation of said first means, and means preventing a change of selection during the full depression of the pedal.

29. In an automobile ratio change selection device, a source of electricity, an automobile controller, ratio selection means associated with and selectively operable by the foot operating said controller, electric circuit controlling means controlled selectively for a plurality of driving ratios by and according to the said selective operation of said first means and becoming -effective by bodily movement of the controller, and means preventinga new selection to become effective -without other bodily 'movement of said controller.

30. In an automobile driving ratio selection device, a source of electrical energy, a foot operated controller, ratio selection means on said controller and mounted and constructed to be selectively movable into a plurality of positions by the foot operating said controller, the longitudinal axial line of the foot being always in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of movement of the pedal, and electrical energy distributing' means controlled selectively for a plurality of ratio selections by the movement of and according to the positions of` said first means, the construction and interrelation of parts of said device being ofa nature to permit only one selection at a time.

31. In an automobile, a source of power, a toot controller, means operable selectively by the toot when operating said controller to determine the selective cooperation of said power with a ratio change mechanism and additional ratio change controlling means op! erable in other manner thansaid toot operations.

BERNARD H. MOSSINGHOFF.

subsequent ratio change, means for electrically transmitting the ratio change selection after 

